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MY 1-YEAR HAIR JOURNEY + TIPS FOR HAIR GROWTH

December 15, 2016

I know I’ve been
yanking a lot about hair lately, and trust me, I know…so don’t get fed up and
thank you for sticking with me through it all.

From the
featured Image on this post, you can see the difference between my hair in 2015
and in 2016 right? Totally. I didn’t realise the change until recently too. I
mean, I know I started doing things much differently in 2016 as relates to my
hair, but I wasn’t really keeping track. Being that I have struggled with a
stunted hair growth, breakages and dandruff in the past, I must say, a lot have
changed lately, and I want to share all
my tips, secrets and routine with you. I already started with my post on how to prep your hair before protective styling.

I got so tired
of how weak my hair have become, which inspired my research on how to grow my
natural hair, relaxed or not. I saw a lady take off a weave-on one day at a
salon and I couldn’t help complement how long her hair was. One thing you need
to understand is, some people are just blessed to have natural long hair while others aren't. Now
for those who have to work their way through it, this is for you.

Tip #1: STOP RELAXING YOUR
HAIR TO THE TIPS

Yeah right! I
too didn’t know this before. Stop! Stop! Stop! It’s just like the saying,
“sweet things are most times harmful.” I know how cute our African hair
(especially 4Cs) look when we retouch it, but trust me, it does more harm than
good. It causes hair weakness and breakage. That’s why most times when we park
our hair, it feels so light and small. So if you want to maintain the strength
and length of your hair, this is one tip to consider. A for me, I hammer it
into the ears of any stylist that is retouching my hair to keep it to the
roots. I don’t just stop there, I keep tabs on them to ensure they do so.

Tip #2: REDUCE THE NUMBER
OF TIMES YOU APPLY RELAXER IN A YEAR

It’s highly
prohibiting for you to apply relaxer more than three (3) time in a year.If you can go as low as just twice or once a
year, good for you! This is highly recommended if you are still interested in
growing your hair any longer. However note that, though your hair may be long
and full, as soon as you stop treating it right, it will begin to show. I always had a stash of relaxer at home in the past, but since I changed my routine,
relaxer is now the last thing on my shopping list, that is if it enters. In 2016, I
think I have retouched my hair just twice…and that will be all for the year.

TIP #3: DO LOTS
OF PROTECTIVE STYLING

YEEPEE!!!! You
guys know I’m a sucker for protective styles. If I had known about them the
past 5 years…hmmmm…anyway, yes! Protective styles are simply hairstyles that
protect your hair from all forms of manipulations that inhibits growth or
affect your hair negatively. Such manipulations include; constant combing,
applying dry-based get, relaxing, bonding, etc. So far, I have focused more on crotchet braids, though I intend to
look at other options from next year. You can also do twist outs, cornrows,
weave-ons, wigs etc.

Usually, one
should be able to wear protective styles for at least six weeks, depending on
which style you choose. Styles like twist-outs and crotchet braids last quite
long. Cornrows may need to be renewed constantly.

NOTE: Ghana
weaving (as it is called in Nigeria) is not protective styling ooo…your baby hairs will be in big trouble, sooner or later. I recommend cornrows you start with
your natural hair, not with a hair extensions (attachment).

TIP #4: INVEST
IN WIGS

This is an
essential part of hair growth in that, they come in handy on days you don’t
want to make your hair or are not ready to go to the salon, but you don’t mind
having a nice hair do too. Wigs come in different forms and style, from the
minimal to the highly expensive glamorous ones. Make your choice. I have a couple of wigs
too. They help limit how much I manipulate my hair when it’s not done. All I
need is to braid my hair into a few cornrows, then I wear my wigs off and on,
anytime I’m set to go out. Wigs are also interesting hairpiece as they are easy
to put on and easily complete your look and it also gives a sense of having
your favourite hairstyle with you to wear anytime you want.

TIP #5: WASH
HAIR AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH

I hear lots of
wash hair once a week…hmmmmm…let’s be real folks, who has that kind of time? I
for one don’t. However, I’m certain that at least half of the female population
will have time once in a month to wash their hair. This is also important
because it will shock you to know that some people don’t wash their hair: and
how you wash your hair also matters, which brings me to my next tip…

TIP#6:
CONDITION! CONDITION! CONDITION!

This is the
“HOLY-GRAIL” of your hair growth! Condition your hair each time you wash, you
can even do it before (pre-poo) and after (steaming)…and with a product that is
right for your hair. Discovering this aspect of hair treatment has really made
me have a different value for and relationship with my hair. I can say, it has
been one of my favourite things I did with and will continue to do to my hair.

TIP #7: TRIMMING

Throughout 2016,
I trimmed my hair about twice. Apart from the growth aspect, I saw that my hair
regain its strength. I love the way it feels now when I pack it into a
ponytail. I also noticed I no longer have lots of breakage when I comb.
Usually, I will throw the extra (broken) hair from the comb and trash it, but
since this year, I look for hair to trash, and it's either too small or there is
none. Remember those ends that have gone through many relaxer applications and
other treatments…the bad thing is, when they break, they pull and extra length
and if possible other hairs with them, and you don’t want that.

TIP #8: APPLY LESS HEAT ON YOUR HAIR

Part of my hair
revamping goals was to use less heat on my hair. When I’m not washing my hair
myself, I go to the salon a few days ahead of the intended day of making my
hair. That way, I’d let my hair air-dry. Too much heat reduces the moisture
content of the hair, which in turn causes hair breakage. If you let your hair
air-dry, you’d notice it remains soft and silky, even if you eventually
straighten it. Even then, flat ironing is also a form of heat application and
should also be reduced to the barest minimum.

So that’s about
all of it. I hope you have learnt a thing or two. I encourage you to go ahead
and do things differently and see the changes in a few months. I look forward
to hearing your stories too!

If you have any suggestions or think I left anything
out, feel free to drop your comments or email me.

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About me

Hi I am Chidalu Winifred Ben. I created this blog as a way of expressing myself and sharing my minimal lifestyle journey. Weekly, I update my style posts, makeup, hair or skin care routine as well as other lifestyle stories. Read more

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